President Donald Trump will look to sign economic agreements and critical minerals deals with trading partners during his trip to Asia, according to senior US officials, as the administration moves to ramp up pressure on China ahead of a crucial meeting with Xi Jinping.

Trump will look for deals that will help unlock the region’s resources to create more reliable supply chains for industries, contribute to global growth and secure more investments in the US, according to officials who briefed reporters Friday before the president’s departure. The officials did not offer specifics on what the deals the president is seeking may entail.

The trip will feature stops in Malaysia for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit, Japan and then South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Coop

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